Round Trip Distance: 5.2 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 5256 - 7319 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 3 hrs. 15 mins.
Trailhead: Kiwanis Park
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic waterfalls
The Battle Creek Trail #050 is in the Uinta National Forest east of Pleasant Grove, Utah. The trail provides access to the west side of Mt. Timpanogos after a steep climb with over 2000 in elevation gain. As hikers work their way up the canyon they pass the beautiful Battle Creek Falls and several scenic cascades made by the tumbling waters of the creek as it plunges through the canyon. At 1.3 miles the trail is met by the Curly Springs Trail #051. At its upper end the Battle Creek trail meets up with the Dry Canyon Trail #049.
The Google Maps 'get directions' function does a good job choosing the best route from Interstate 15 to the Kiwanis Park trailhead. From Exit 275 head northeast on Garden Grove Blvd. for 1.5 miles, turn right onto W State Street, continue for 0.4 miles and turn left onto W 200 S and drive the remaining 2.5 miles to the trailhead.
Normally this hike would measure only 5 miles round trip. We did a little extra exploring and came out with almost another quarter mile.
For a little less than a half mile the trail makes use of an access road.
About 4 tenths of a mile from the trailhead Battle Creek is funneled into an underground pipe at the spot the locals have affectionately named Tarzan's Bathtub. There was a large very old cottonwood tree here they called the Hanging Tree that fell in a storm the previous night.
After passing the water intake the trail becomes a more primitive single track and the canyon becomes much narrower.
This photo of Battle Creek Falls show the flow of water that one might expect around the 4th of July. The rope to the left of the falls was being used by rock climbers that were practicing a short repel. Such a picturesque falls within close proximity of a major metropolitan area means lots of visitors on the typical weekend.
Only a small number of people venture beyond the falls.
Several smaller cascades reward the intrepid hikers that continue.
Further up the trail the canyon begins opening and the higher peaks of the Wasatch Range, including Mt. Timpanogos, come into view.
At 1.3 miles the Curly Springs Trail #051 splits off on the right. Curly Springs is a connector trail used to form a loop with the Battle Creek and Dry Canyon Trails.
The trail splits a short distance past the Curly Springs junction. To follow the easiest and most direct route to the Dry Canyon trail follow the left fork. The left fork is washed out a bit but it turns into a good trail again after a few yards. One thing to note while hiking the next half mile along either fork is that the grass grows very well here. So well that it can become waist deep and totally obscure the trail in a few places. Walking through the tall grass after a rain will leave your pants and shoes soaked to the bone.
The final quarter mile or so of the trail levels out and crosses a beautiful meadow area where the opportunities for seeing deer are very good.
The trail comes to an end at the Dry Canyon trail and that is where we turn around and head back down the mountain.
Depending on the visibility you may see some spectacular views of Utah Lake and the lower valley. The lake seems to look even bigger from up here.
